Members  attending the meeting included:   Richard Foerster,  Alan Shoemaker, M. E. {Mac}  Shaver,  Dave Reisz,  Kandy Phan, and his guest Hung Nguyen.  Two prospective new members, Dana Rodden and Karl Pomroy had planned to attend but were able to make the meeting.  Hopefully they will be able attend our December meeting.

Alan brought a copy of the new Mandrake 7.2 distribution, {see Oct meeting minutes for details} which we installed on the E-Machine demo during the meeting.  Mac had not seen or personally installed Mandrake on a system, so it afforded an opportunity to work through the "expert" level install.   Most of the install involves letting the machine work to install packages.  During that time we had the opportunity to discuss a number of interesting topics.

Alan also provided a description of the new packaging for Mandrake 7.2.  Under Mandrake packaging, "Essential" is the equivalent to MacMillan's "Complete".  The Mandrake "Power Pack" is equivalent to MacMillan's "Deluxe".  MacMillan also has a version that includes Linux for Windows that is packaged in a  "mostly RED box" which distinguishes it from other versions.   

MacMillan lists a "Professional Suite" set to be released Nov 13th, and priced at $150.00.   They say "Linux Mandrake 7.2 Professional Suite comes with everything that the professional Linux user or SOHO needs to get a Linux network started. The full Mandrake operating system is complemented with a secure Web server utilizing RSA's patented encryption, utilities and applications such as StarOffice 5.2, Linux Utilities 3.0 and BRU Workstation, the #1 backup and restore utility from Enhanced Software Technologies"  

Since it has been a few months since Mac has been able to attend, we were able to get an update on the latest developments at Pac-Bell, where Mac works as a Systems Administrator, for Network Operations Center South.

One of the things discussed is a new Pac-Bell program called Pronto, which brings fiber to the neighborhood.  A switch at the end of the fiber effectively puts everyone with-in the limits of the CO.   According to a Pac Bell press release: "Project Pronto, a $6 billion initiative that will transform Pacific Bell's parent company, SBC Communications Inc., into America's largest single broadband provider. Project Pronto will make DSL service available to an estimated 77 million people by 2002 and dramatically increase the speed of DSL service. Pacific Bell DSL will initially be available to more than 200,000 homes and businesses in California."

Mac also, mentioned that msn is now providing a satellite option with a 36x26 dish, with 15kbts up and 5kbts down, that runs in the neighborhood of $60 per month plus $300 disk.  There is a rumor that Hughes/AOL alliance announced in June of this year, could be a strong indication that interactive satellite connections could be coming sooner rather than later.  A huge problem with satellites is that the Web world is very much an interactive environment while dish communication is typically one way.  Hughes is the parent company of DirectTV/DirectPC.

We also discussed alternatives for allowing users to run Windows applications on Linux or UNIX systems.  VMware may be the best way to run Windows Applications with Linux. For Linux users who need to access applications like Microsoft Office 2000, Visio, Adobe Photoshop, email clients and web multimedia tools that aren't yet available on Linux, using VMware gives you access to these applications. VMware's file sharing and cut and paste allow you to integrate your Linux desktop with Windows seamlessly.

Other items of discussion included a link to check out.  Try:  http://www.lightspeed2000.com/    There are also a couple of columns of interest that can be found at:  http://www.computoredge.com/sandiego/Editorial/ 

One is Back to Basics and the other is "I Don't do Windows" at: http://www.computoredge.com/sandiego/Editorial/idon'tdo.htm   

The meeting was a great success, and we are all looking forward to our next session on Dec  9th, 2000